Get Out and Workout

By Meredith Rhoades

 

 

 

 

Being outside doesn’t just make you feel happy and free; it can also motivate you.

Working out in the great outdoors is one of my favorite things to do. The refreshing air and bright sun make me feel like I can do anything. Studies show that outdoor exercise improves your mood, reduces tension and improves self-esteem, according to a 2014 article on HuffPost Healthy Living titled, “6 Reasons To Start Working Out Outside.”

I can personally attest to the results of these studies. No matter what is going on in my life, just being outside makes everything seem much better. It clears my mind from all my worries and stress.

There are so many options of what to do to get active outside—biking, walking, playing catch, shooting hoops, rock climbing, swimming, hiking and anything else that makes you happy while increasing your heart rate. Studies also show that people who exercise outside did it longer and more often than those doing it indoors, according to a 2013 article in the New York Times titled, “Fitness: The Benefits of Exercising Outdoors.”

You don’t have to join a gym or be on an organized team. We live in an area where there are many great opportunities to explore the beautiful and ever-changing Pennsylvania woods. A simple hike at nearby Locust Lake State Park or the Schuylkill County Sweet Arrow Lake County Park will trigger healthy benefits.

Nothing is better than exploring Schuylkill County while doing something beneficial for your body. And at this time of the year, the beautiful green mountain scenery can motivate you to do anything you set your mind to.

I urge everyone to get outside and workout!